Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-04-04

New York on o charge of having beer
implicated with Kissane in the banL
forgery. When Mr. Burton asked fol
the payment Of the notes and the re-
turn of the sheepskins he was in.
formed that he could go TO the
devil, with the rest Of the creditors.
Captain Cummings, who commanded
the Martha Washington was an in innate
friend of Cole, and Kishane had an in
terest in the business. Mr.. Burton
learned that they had purchased the
Martha Washington, and were annoyed
over the unfavorable circumstances that
prevented her arrival. The vessel
put in an appearance at last and
steamed out Of the city for New Or
leans with heavy invoice on board. On
January 6, 1851, it wa4 soon developed
that the steamer and the cargo were
heavily insured. On January IA 1852
the boat was burned neat Helena, Ark,
and sixteen lives were lost. The v,lne
OF the produce was placid at SIPS, 900
Early in the same ydar Mr.. Burton
saw Adam Chaplin il New York, en-
deavoring to secure the payment of
his insurance policy for 500, 900 and be
ing satisfied that the burning of the
steamer was an act of incendIarism he
potifed the insurance company and
they refused to pay the policies. The
conspirators then sought to win MIR.
Burton over 10 their side. He says in
his manuscript that they offered him
$1,000 in addition to the Fiily and Chaplin
L. 81 in NJ
payment of the insurance money. Then
Mr.. Burton thought to bring the
criminals to justice. The insurance
companies refused to assist him but h.
offered 1000 of his own money and
over $4,000 contributed by friend
During his pursuit of the gang he trav,
eled $4,000 miles. He was constantly
bounded, harassed and even threatened
by Kissane and his frienGs. Few per-
sons are aware that the emmissaries of
Kissane were instrumental in causing
Burton's death. In the summer of 1855
he visited New York, and. as had been
the case throughout his travels in the
U nited States and Cspada, his every
movement was watched by Kissane
Early in the fall he became the victim of
a mysterious illness and returned to his
home. He fingered for months, but
never recovered, dying Oh December LIST,
1885. The fact was established at the
time that Kissane's friends had succeed
ed in smuggling poison into his food
and his death resulted, despite the
efforts Of all physicians to save him.
Mr.. Burton, during his travels, wrote
the book giving detailed acc unit of the
case, but it was never put into print.
1t was entitled "Drama of Crime, or
Tragedies in Real Life" According to
the preface the book contains, among
other things, a complete confession by
VIM. Kissane. A',ong Mrs. Bou-
mans papers are several interesting
letters. one from General Francis
J. Darr of San Francisco, bearing the
date of July 18th. 1886. General Darr
says: lam native of Cincinnati, az
of the firm Of Gross & Dietrich. Our
factory of candles, soaps and oils was
destroyed in 1851 by the incendiary act
of William Kissane. While we
were preparing proofs other crimes
came to light. Kissane had be.
come rich and prominent and
his intimates knew nothing of
his crimes. He was born in Ireland,
emigrated to Canada, and thence to Gin.
cinnati in the forties. Finally he escaped
the halter by the death of your father by
no soning." Another letter is from John
Eddy, of Providence, R l., a former
officer of the Chemical Bank. 1t bears
date November 20, 1856, and in
it Mr.. Eddy says: "Kissane was
pardoned after your fathers death.
He went TO NICARAGUA, and returned
during the war and held some prominent
positions. He now lives in luxury.
John s Toppan, of New York, President
of the Marine Insurance Company, took
Kissane's confession. Mrs. Bouman
has written to Recorder Smythe. OF
NV York, a letter, which will
reach its destination on Monday,
giving some information about the
case. Col. C. w Doubleday, of thir
city, who was one of filibnster Walkers
adjutan in Nicaraugua, told reporter
last night that he knew Kissane when
the latter was acting as commissary of
the expedition. He says Kissane was
sort of desperate. While it was
known in Nicaragua that Kissane and
Rogers were identical, the officers for
some reason suspected that he was the
same man that was mixed up III the
Martha Washington disaster.
SAN FRANCISCO, April 3,-There seems
to be no doubt among those in position
to know that the statement published
yesterday in the Cal;ernia Demokrat
(Germal J. of this city, regarding Kissane
and tslegraphed last night, is absolutely
correct and that VIM. Kissane and Col
VIM X. Rogers. the veal by citizen of
this State, living at Sonoma. are one
and the sane person. This fact
has been known to several people
in this city for three days,
but, out of consideration for his family
aud connections in this State, it has not
been made known. The California
DemoErat was the first to reveal Kis.
sane's identity, but nothing beyond
what was telegraphed here last night
from Cleveland has been mentioned on
the subject. Kiss mes, or Rodgers,
connections by marriage are among the
wealthiest and most prominent people
in this city.